What do you need?

[Andy Black]

I need a logo!

I need a mentor!

I need a website!

I need more money!

I need to go on a course!

I need a business partner!


Is it possible to run a business without all the things we think we need?

Maybe we're putting all these things in our own way?

To prevent us from starting? (aka procrastination).

To prevent us from shipping? (aka perfectionism).

Because we think we'll fail if we launch?

Because we don't think we're enough?


Whenever I find myself saying "I need ..." I catch myself and wonder:


Do I REALLY need it?

Is it possible someone else has done without it?

Is it possible *I* can do without it?



The only thing we need in business are sales/customers.

 

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[ZF Lee]

And that was how many of my business problems disappeared....

 

[regilmour]

as soon as I read the title, i was thinking "i need customers!!!!"

 

[TonyFish6379]

I need a website!

I need more money!

I need to go on a course!

I need a logo!

I need a business partner!

I need a mentor!

I NEED a time machine to go shove this post in my own 22 year old self's face.
Yes, this is a real crippling means of prohibiting forward movement.

I was victim to it myself. Trying to figure out what I "Thought" I needed to know before becoming successful.
Like there was this mystical, missing piece of information that would allow me to move forward despite the obvious - work, planning, execution and the willingness to fail.

Fail, who wants to do that? LOL

SMH at my younger self.......

The only thing we need in business are sales/customers.

Wish I would have had some reality based (Hard Truth) mentoring like this back then.

Thanks for this post @Andy Black It really hit home for me.

 

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[letter9]

Energy, persistence and tone down perfectionism.

 

[Frankie Relax]

I need a website!

I need more money!

I need to go on a course!

I need a logo!

I need a business partner!

I need a mentor!


Is it possible to run a business without all the things we think we need?

Maybe we're putting all these things in our own way?

To prevent us from starting? (aka procrastination).

To prevent us from shipping? (aka perfectionism).

Because we think we'll fail if we launch?

Because we don't think we're enough?



Whenever I find myself saying "I need ..." I catch myself and wonder:


Do I REALLY need it?

Is it possible someone else has done without it?

Is it possible *I* can do without it?



The only thing we need in business are sales/customers.

Well, I still haven't found an entrepreneur who started his/her business with no money at all... I think it's a myth that you don't need money to make money.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Well, I still haven't found an entrepreneur who started his/her business with no money at all... I think it's a myth that you don't need money to make money.

Because you believe that, you're right.

And your excuse keeps you comfortably pleasant with that reality.

Oh well, there's always a 9-to-5 Monday thru Friday for the next 50 years.

 

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[tristano]

You need time! A lot of time to do all the job!

 

[Raoul Duke]

Well, I still haven't found an entrepreneur who started his/her business with no money at all... I think it's a myth that you don't need money to make money.

 

[Frankie Relax]

Yes, you can do freelancing, publish ebooks, sell old stuff, etc.
But you cannot build an entreprise with no money.

 

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[Nicoknowsbest]

Yes, you can do freelancing, publish ebooks, sell old stuff, etc.
But you cannot build an entreprise with no money.

You also cannot build an enterprise overnight with all the money in the world.

There are more than enough living examples (especially here on the forum) that will confirm that it is possible to start with almost 0.

Freelancing is better than a job, right?

So what's wrong with starting at one end of the sliding scale (employee < freelancer < contractor < agency < marketplace) and through...

...process...

...your personal journey...

...and massive development...

...you "suddenly" end up on the other end of the sliding scale and become an overnight success after years of hard work.

I think you confuse events and processes.

Or maybe you are afraid to start?

Don't be!

(Over)Think less, do more.

 

[Raoul Duke]

You also cannot build an enterprise overnight with all the money in the world.

There are more than enough living examples (especially here on the forum) that will confirm that it is possible to start with almost 0.

Freelancing is better than a job, right?

So what's wrong with starting at one end of the sliding scale (employee < freelancer < contractor < agency < marketplace) and through...

...process...

...your personal journey...

...and massive development...

...you "suddenly" end up on the other end of the sliding scale and become an overnight success after years of hard work.

I think you confuse events and processes.

Or maybe you are afraid to start?

Don't be!

(Over)Think less, do more.

I'm gonna go ahead and beat him to the punch. You know... the dead horse... or whatever.

Well, I still haven't found an entrepreneur who started his/her business with no money at all... I think it's a myth that you don't need money to make money.
But you cannot build an entreprise with no money.

Frankie Relax

 

[Scot]

Yes, you can do freelancing, publish ebooks, sell old stuff, etc.
But you cannot build an entreprise with no money.

I see you've got the "I've Read the Millionaire Fastlane " badge on your profile.

And you're sure... 100% SURE you can't think of ANYONE who started a successful business without startup money...

 

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[Andy Black]

First I would like to make my own website. Then increase visitors onto it. Applying for adsence and start earning from it.

The best advice I heard about using Adsense to "monetise" visitors to your website was: Don't.

If you get people to your website who click ads to leave, then you've generated leads for those AdWords advertisers who's ads were on your site, and you've hopefully helped your visitors solve their problems.

Is that really the best way you can help your visitors solve their problems?

Do you really want to crack open the champagne when someone leaves your site?

Don't get me wrong... I've worked in a business making €30-50k gross profit a day from Adsense, but we were buying €120k a day of visitors from Google. I wouldn't go down this route unless it's at scale, and even then I'd use the revenue from Adsense to subsidise the AdWords costs so that we're generating other leads for free.

 

[Andy Black]

you cannot build an enterprise with no money

If you see 10 white swans in front of you, can you conclude that all the swans in the world are white? All it takes is one black swan on the other side of the world to prove you wrong.

It's so easy to disprove a sweeping generalisation - you just have to find one black swan.

It's so hard to prove a sweeping generalisation - you have to find every single swan in the world and show they're all white.

you cannot

I've learned to be wary of people who use the phrases "you need to", "you should", "you must", "never", "always", or "cannot". Such bold and declarative phrases usually indicate the limits of that person's experience. Even if I do believe something to be true, the older I get the more I'm inclined to guide someone to the truth than make a bold statement.

Be careful of the words you use. They don't just affect the people around you - they also affect you.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right." (Henry Ford)

 

[Frankie Relax]

If you see 10 white swans in front of you, can you conclude that all the swans in the world are white? All it takes is one black swan on the other side of the world to prove you wrong.

It's so easy to disprove a sweeping generalisation - you just have to find one black swan.

It's so hard to prove a sweeping generalisation - you have to find every single swan in the world and show they're all white.





I've learned to be wary of people who use the phrases "you need to", "you should", "you must", "never", "always", or "cannot". Such bold and declarative phrases usually indicate the limits of that person's experience. Even if I do believe something to be true, the older I get the more I'm inclined to guide someone to the truth than make a bold statement.

Be careful of the words you use. They don't just affect the people around you - they also affect you.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right." (Henry Ford)

Thank you for your reply and inspiring words!

 

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[Frankie Relax]

You also cannot build an enterprise overnight with all the money in the world.

There are more than enough living examples (especially here on the forum) that will confirm that it is possible to start with almost 0.

Freelancing is better than a job, right?

So what's wrong with starting at one end of the sliding scale (employee < freelancer < contractor < agency < marketplace) and through...

...process...

...your personal journey...

...and massive development...

...you "suddenly" end up on the other end of the sliding scale and become an overnight success after years of hard work.

I think you confuse events and processes.

Or maybe you are afraid to start?

Don't be!

(Over)Think less, do more.

Thank you man for your words! Rep $$ transferred to you 'cause you made me know something I didn't know, ie the sliding scale...

 

[Andy Black]

Thank you man for your words! Rep $$ transferred to you 'cause you made me know something I didn't know, ie the sliding scale...

You might find these podcasts interesting:

• www.tropicalmba.com/services
• www.tropicalmba.com/consulting

While you're at it, you might find the first radio interview linked to in my signature helpful too.

 

[Siberia]

I need a website!

I need more money!

I need to go on a course!

I need a logo!

I need a business partner!

I need a mentor!


Is it possible to run a business without all the things we think we need?

Maybe we're putting all these things in our own way?

To prevent us from starting? (aka procrastination).

To prevent us from shipping? (aka perfectionism).

Because we think we'll fail if we launch?

Because we don't think we're enough?



Whenever I find myself saying "I need ..." I catch myself and wonder:


Do I REALLY need it?

Is it possible someone else has done without it?

Is it possible *I* can do without it?



The only thing we need in business are sales/customers.

I need to stay still quite in my safe uncertainty, to design the unknown part of my new Nanotech technology, to get in the shortest possible time to implement the principle of running a new product to produce, sell and distribute with my new start-up in a niche market.

 

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[Siberia]

Well, I still haven't found an entrepreneur who started his/her business with no money at all... I think it's a myth that you don't need money to make money.

Friend,
the myth have your head and your experience. I have created a big business from scratch. The son happy of two workers who could not help me.

 

[mindfulimmortal]

I need a website!

I need more money!

I need to go on a course!

I need a logo!

I need a business partner!

I need a mentor!


Is it possible to run a business without all the things we think we need?

Maybe we're putting all these things in our own way?

To prevent us from starting? (aka procrastination).

To prevent us from shipping? (aka perfectionism).

Because we think we'll fail if we launch?

Because we don't think we're enough?



Whenever I find myself saying "I need ..." I catch myself and wonder:


Do I REALLY need it?

Is it possible someone else has done without it?

Is it possible *I* can do without it?



The only thing we need in business are sales/customers.

A wise old business mentor advised me:

1. Find Customers First

2. Customers are the most important thing is business, but getting the product or service right is the hardest thing.

3. You must speak to a customer at some point, if you make that the first thing, you save incalculable time and money.

4. For new business, you must compete on design, not price.

5. Research will lead only into known markets. Finding new business is a matter of “search and learn” tactics.

6. You need no money to start up a business, you need customers. if you need money, you have no customers. If you have customers, you need no money.

 

[Siberia]

as soon as I read the title, i was thinking "i need customers!!!!"

If you are really clever ...... The customer you create it alone.

 

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[Nicoknowsbest]

Thank you man for your words! Rep $$ transferred to you 'cause you made me know something I didn't know, ie the sliding scale...

Thank YOU for reading it and appreciating it.

Thank YOU for the rep sent!

 

[Siberia]

I need a website!

I need more money!

I need to go on a course!

I need a logo!

I need a business partner!

I need a mentor!


Is it possible to run a business without all the things we think we need?

Maybe we're putting all these things in our own way?

To prevent us from starting? (aka procrastination).

To prevent us from shipping? (aka perfectionism).

Because we think we'll fail if we launch?

Because we don't think we're enough?



Whenever I find myself saying "I need ..." I catch myself and wonder:


Do I REALLY need it?

Is it possible someone else has done without it?

Is it possible *I* can do without it?



The only thing we need in business are sales/customers.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Andy to this question I am also another answer for everybody:

Every entrepreneur needs:

A GREAT VISION AND IDEA

BUT

ACT SMALL

and I mean micro daily habits activities.

At last the KAIZEN controll in the continuous improvement in these daily habits.

A small victories every days ....
because the VICTORIES help the VICTORIES.

In this way you capture a winning approach in everything you do (OUTPUT) that is a prerequisite to big win: achieving true goal FastLane (OUTCOME).

 

[Andy Black]

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Andy to this question I am also another answer for everybody:

Every entrepreneur needs:

A GREAT VISION AND IDEA

BUT

ACT SMALL

and I mean micro daily habits activities.

At last the KAIZEN controll in the continuous improvement in these daily habits.

A small victories every days ....
because the VICTORIES help the VICTORIES.

In this way you capture a winning approach in everything you do (OUTPUT) that is a prerequisite to big win: achieving true goal FastLane (OUTCOME).

Thanks for your considered input @Siberia.

...

I can imagine someone without a great vision or idea still getting customers, while someone who does have a great vision or idea doesn't build a business - because they don't get any customers.

A lot of people won't start because they don't think their idea is unique or big enough, which is a shame because there's likely someone within 50m of them who'd give them money in exchange for their help.

...

Kaizen works for me. It's the way I prefer to work.

And sometimes I've just got to go flat out to break the back of a problem:

• "You can't break tackles at marathon pace"

 

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[Timmy C]

Alright guys, what i thought i needed below!

- vacuum sealer
- council approval
- website
- menu
- logo
- adwords campaign
amongst other things i am sure!

What did I actually need though?

I suggest you take a look at @Andy Black signature.
“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” (Mother Theresa)

Is it really that simple? i need all this stuff that can't be right!!

Yes....it is that simple that is all you need to do start providing value for free, help one person at a time, watch the magic happen. You do not NEED what you think you NEED.

By focusing on helping people and not about getting money, it literally fell into my lap.

 

[Andy Black]

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” (Mother Theresa)

Is it really that simple? i need all this stuff that can't be right!!

Yes....it is that simple that is all you need to do start providing value for free, help one person at a time, watch the magic happen. You do not NEED what you think you NEED.

By focusing on helping people and not about getting money, it literally fell into my lap.

^^^ This.

 

[Andy Black]

I’m curious what other things people thought they “needed” but actually didn’t.

 

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[Nicoknowsbest]

"I am enough. Because I say I am." - @Andy Black

You told me this line a few times already, but I didn't really get it until a few days ago. For years, I have been struggling with the following two topics, only to realise that the only person I needed to ask for answers was myself.

Permission:
I thought in order to be able to do/sell something, I'd have to take courses, get diplomas, reach expert status, etc. If you help people with what they need, all this becomes less relevant. Help people achieve their goals and the rest follows automatically. You don't need to ask permission from anybody - just do it.

Validation:
I was waiting for people to see me as a legitimate business owner. For that, I rented an office. Hired freelancers and virtual assistants. Worked to be busy, but not really progress. Printed business cards that I didn't even hand out. Built websites nobody visited. Only to be still treated like an external worker bee who companies don't have to pay social insurance for. Once I took the decision that I am a peer, a business owner, no matter what, the way people interact with me improved dramatically.

 

[Andy Black]

"I am enough. Because I say I am." - @Andy Black

You told me this line a few times already, but I didn't really get it until a few days ago. For years, I have been struggling with the following two topics, only to realise that the only person I needed to ask for answers was myself.

Permission:
I thought in order to be able to do/sell something, I'd have to take courses, get diplomas, reach expert status, etc. If you help people with what they need, all this becomes less relevant. Help people achieve their goals and the rest follows automatically. You don't need to ask permission from anybody - just do it.

Validation:
I was waiting for people to see me as a legitimate business owner. For that, I rented an office. Hired freelancers and virtual assistants. Worked to be busy, but not really progress. Printed business cards that I didn't even hand out. Built websites nobody visited. Only to be still treated like an external worker bee who companies don't have to pay social insurance for. Once I took the decision that I am a peer, a business owner, no matter what, the way people interact with me improved dramatically.

That line was told to me by Craig Desorcy who I paid for a bit of business coaching. It’s been so helpful over the years and I’m glad it’s helping you too.

How are people treating you differently?